Watch The Ballymurphy Precedent

The Ballymurphy Precedent is a documentary film from 2018 that tells the story of the British army's involvement in the Ballymurphy Massacre in August 1971 during The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Directed by Callum Macrae, the film is an emotional and powerful account of what happened during those three terrible days in August, and the effects that the massacre had on the families of those killed.

The Ballymurphy Massacre was one of the most devastating incidents of The Troubles, and yet it has been largely forgotten in the years that have followed. The film sets out to rectify this by telling the story of what happened through interviews with witnesses, family members of the victims, and former soldiers who were stationed in Ballymurphy at the time.

The film opens on a chilling note, with the sound of gunfire ringing out over black and white footage of the streets of Ballymurphy. This sets the tone for what is to come - a no-holds-barred account of the massacre and its aftermath that is both heartbreaking and infuriating.

The film begins by introducing us to some of the victims of the massacre, including Father Hugh Mullan, a Catholic priest who was shot dead while trying to help a wounded man, and Joan Connolly, a mother of eight who was killed while waving a white flag. We hear from family members of these and other victims, who describe the impact that the massacre had on their lives and the ongoing struggle for justice.

The film then turns to the soldiers who were stationed in Ballymurphy at the time, including Kevin-Barry Brown and Noel O'Brien. These former soldiers give their accounts of what happened during those three days in August, and their testimonies are chilling in their matter-of-factness. They describe the orders they were given to shoot anything that moved, and the lack of oversight and accountability for their actions.

One of the most powerful sequences in the film comes when Macrae confronts one of the former soldiers with evidence that directly contradicts his testimony. The soldier is visibly uncomfortable as Macrae shows him a photograph that proves he was lying about the circumstances of a particular shooting. This sequence is a testament to Macrae's skill as a filmmaker, and his determination to get to the truth of what happened in Ballymurphy.

Throughout the film, we also hear from legal experts and campaigners who are fighting to get justice for the victims of the massacre. They argue that the investigation carried out at the time was deeply flawed, and that there has been a concerted effort to cover up what happened in Ballymurphy in the decades that have followed.

The film is a searing indictment of the British army's behaviour during The Troubles, and of the ongoing injustices faced by those affected by the conflict. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of accountability and of the need to confront the past in order to move forward.

Overall, The Ballymurphy Precedent is a deeply affecting and timely documentary that deserves to be seen by as many people as possible. It is a powerful reminder of the human toll of violence and conflict, and of the ongoing struggles for justice and accountability that continue to this day.

The Ballymurphy Precedent is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.4.